2010 Readers’ and Critics’ Restaurant Poll

The results of our 27th Annual Readers’ Choice Restaurant Poll were tabulated by PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Florham Park.

The winning restaurant in each region received the most votes in its category—in some cases there were ties; in some categories we also list a chain winner. We have also added our critics’ picks (). All readers who submitted a ballot became eligible to win dinner for two in our random drawing. This year’s winner is Melanie Naef of Flanders. She will receive a gift certificate to Lorena’s in Maplewood, the Best of the Best poll winner in Naef’s region, North.

Key: Star North Star Central Star South Star Chain Star Critics’ Picks

BEST OF THE BEST

StarLorena’s, Maplewood

StarNicholas, Red Bank

StarUnion Park, Cape May

StarSee 25 Best Restaurants

NEW RESTAURANT

StarZylo, Hoboken

StarUproot, Warren

StarDaniel’s Bistro, Pt. Pleasant Beach

StarHat City Kitchen, Orange;

Bar Cara, Bloomfield;

Peacock Inn, Princeton

AMERICAN

StarBlu, Montclair

StarNicholas, Red Bank

StarUnion Park, Cape May

StarSerenade, Chatham;

Highlawn Pavilion, West Orange

BAKERY

StarCalandra’s, Caldwell

StarFlaky Tart, Atlantic Highlands

StarMueller’s, Bay Head

StarBalthazar, Englewood;

Gina’s, Montclair;

Little Chef, Princeton

BANG FOR THE BUCK

StarBona Vita Osteria, Summit

StarNicholas, Red Bank

StarCrest Tavern, Wildwood Crest

StarBlu, Next Door, Montclair

BAR SCENE

StarEgan & Sons, Montclair

StarDowntown, Red Bank

StarMartell’s Tiki Bar, Pt. Pleasant Beach

StarNinety Acres, Peapack-Gladstone;

Watermark, Asbury Park;

Avenue, Long Branch

BARBECUE

StarHot Rods, Wharton

StarBig Ed’s, Matawan

StarHickory Hog, Pt. Pleasant

StarGrub Hut, Manville;

Indigo Kitchen and Bar, Maplewood;

The Wood Pit, Montclair;

Christine’s House of Kingfish, Shamong

BEER SELECTION

StarEgan & Sons, Montclair

StarBasil T’s, Red Bank

StarCrest Tavern, Wildwood Crest

StarLight Horse Tavern; Zeppelin Hall, Jersey City

BREAKFAST

StarRaymond’s, Montclair

StarTurning Point, Holmdel

StarGeorge’s Place, Cape May

StarToast, Montclair;

Country Pancake House, Ridgewood

BREWPUB

StarTrap Rock, Berkeley Heights

StarBasil T’s, Red Bank

StarTun Tavern, Atlantic City

StarLong Valley Pub, Long Valley; Triumph, Princeton

BRUNCH

StarBona Vita Osteria, Summit

StarMolly Pitcher Inn, Red Bank

StarMad Batter, Cape May

StarAvenue, Long Branch;

Terrace, Short Hills

BURGER

StarNext Door, Montclair

StarBobby’s Burger Palace, Eatontown

StarFrankie’s, Pt. Pleasant Beach

StarFive Guys

StarPals Cabin, West Orange;

Copeland, Morristown;

Iron Hill Brewery, Maple Shade

CARIBBEAN

StarCuban Pete’s, Montclair

StarLangosta Lounge, Asbury Park

Star410 Bank Street, Cape May

StarCasona, Collingswood;

De Island Breeze, Somerset

CHAIN RESTAURANT

StarBone Fish Grill

StarApplebee’s

StarCheesecake Factory

StarChipotle; Morton’s

CHEESESTEAK

StarPiccolo’s, Hoboken

StarJimi’s Main Street, Belmar; Uncle Philly’s, Matawan

StarMidway, Seaside Heights

StarBeyond The Pita, Montclair;

Hoagie Haven, Princeton

CHINESE

StarCheng Du 46, Clifton

StarLittle Szechuan, Little Silver

StarCape Orient, Cape May

StarP.F. Chang’s

StarPetite Soo Chow, Cliffside Park

COFFEE/TEA BAR (NON-CHAIN)

StarThe Fine Grind, Little Falls

StarSmall World, Princeton

StarMagic Brain, Cape May

StarCha Ma Gu Dao (tea), Montclair

DELI, ITALIAN-STYLE

StarFiore’s, Hoboken

StarAleo Italian Specialties, Lincroft

StarJoe Leone’s, Pt. Pleasant

StarLisa’s, Hoboken;

Nicolo’s, Montclair;

Severino Pasta, Collingswood

DELI, KOSHER-STYLE

StarMillburn Deli, Millburn

StarHarold’s, Edison

StarPickles, Atlantic City

StarHobby’s, Bragman’s, Newark

DINER

StarTick-Tock, Clifton

StarSkylark, Edison

StarFour Seasons, Toms River

StarState Street Grill, Bloomfield;

Summit Diner, Summit

FRENCH

StarChez Catherine, Westfield

StarNicholas, Middletown

Star410 Bank Street, Cape May

StarVerjus, Maplewood;

Latour, Ridgewood

GREEK

StarVarka, Ramsey

StarPithari Taverna, Highland Park

StarGeorge’s Place, Cape May

It’s Greek To Me

StarNisi, Englewood;

Stamna, Bloomfield

HOT DOG

StarRutt’s Hut, Clifton

StarMax’s, Long Branch

StarHot Dog Tommy’s, Cape May

StarThe WindMill

StarDickie Dee’s, Newark;

Texas Wieners, Collingswood

ICE CREAM

StarApplegate Farm, Montclair

StarHoffman’s, Spring Lake Heights

StarSpringer’s, Stone Harbor

StarHolsten’s, Bloomfield;

Bent Spoon, Halo Pub, Princeton

INDIAN

StarMantra, Paramus

StarMoghul, Edison

StarAamantran, Toms River

StarMehndi, Morristown

ITALIAN

StarBona Vita Osteria, Summit

StarCatherine Lombardi,

New Brunswick

StarFresco’s, Cape May

StarGrissini, Englewood Cliffs;

Da Benito, Union;

Osteria Giotto, Montclair

JAPANESE

StarTaka Sushi, Summit

StarShumi, Somerville

StarTokyo, Rio Grande

StarFuji, Haddonfield;

Sagami, Collingswood

LATIN AMERICAN/MEXICAN

StarCucharamama, Hoboken

StarEl Meson, Freehold

StarGecko’s, Cape May

StarZafra, Hoboken

LUNCH

StarBona Vita Osteria, Summit

StarTurning Point, Holmdel

StarPilot House, Cape May

StarNext Door, Montclair;

Dream Cuisine, Cherry Hill

MIDDLE EASTERN

StarToros, Clifton

StarSahara Cafe, New Brunswick

StarMacedonian Grill, Brigantine;

Norma’s, Marlton;

Oasis Grill, Cherry Hill

StarSamdan, Cresskill

PIZZA

StarStar Tavern, Orange

StarPete & Elda’s, Neptune

StarMack & Manco’s, Ocean City

StarSantillo’s, Elizabeth;

Ralph’s, Nutley

 

ROMANTIC

StarHighlawnPavilion,

West Orange

StarNicholas,Red Bank

StarUnionPark, Cape May

StarLorena’s, Maplewood;

Anton’s at the Swan, Lambertville

SEAFOOD

StarBlu,Montclair

StarDorisand Ed’s, Highlands

StarLobsterHouse, Cape May

StarBlu,Montclair

STEAK

StarRod’s, Morristown;

Roots, Summit

StarWhat’s Your Beef, Rumson

StarBobbyFlay Steak, Atlantic City; Old Homestead, Atlantic City

StarEdward’s, Jersey City;

Morton’s, Hackensack, Atlantic City

SOUP/SALAD/SANDWICHES

StarAllendaleEats, Allendale

StarTurningPoint, Holmdel

StarFourSeasons Diner, Toms River

StarPaneraBread

StarC’Est Cheese, Morristown; Wicker Basket, Mendham

SPANISH/PORTUGUESE/TAPAS

StarSpanishTavern, Mountainside

StarMalaga,Trenton; Portuguese Manor, Perth Amboy

StarEuropaSouth, Pt. Pleasant

StarSeabra’s Marisquiera, Newark

SOUTHEAST ASIAN/THAI

StarSummitThai, Summit

StarSiamGarden, Red Bank

StarCapeOrient, Cape May

StarTopazThai, Belleville

VEGETARIAN

StarVeggieHeaven, Denville

StarNicholas,Red Bank

StarGreenCuisine, Stone Harbor

StarNicholas,Red Bank

WINE LIST

StarDaBenito, Union

StarNicholas,Red Bank

StarWashingtonInn, Cape May

StarRestaurantLatour, Hardyston
Click here to read our critic’s picks for the 25 Best Restaurants.

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